The theoretical solar potential in Crete is vast: 44,400,000 TJ/year or 12,427 TWh per year. For Greece in 1990, the potential installable rooftop photovoltaic capacity is 9.9 GWp, representing 30 per cent of final electricity consumption.
The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources in Athens states that Crete represents "one of the most favourable and promising Greek regions for the development of renewable energies."
An 800-page report for the EU in March 1996 outlined the benefits of renewables in Crete, and importantly that specific renewable technologies can replace new and existing fossil fuel capacity based on:
1. Exploitable potential i.e. solar and wind resource.
2. Renewables are commercially available
3. Renewables contribute to local development
4. Renewables can be easily incorporated into the electrical system
5. Legislative framework is in place (Act 2244/94)
The findings presented to the Greek Government and the PPC state that "Energy production from RES (renewable energy services) can lower the cost of electricity production as gas turbines may then operate only during maximum load hours. In addition, introduction of RES will decentralise the electricity production system, will decrease transportation losses, and will increase local development in a sustainable way."
Greenpeace’s proposal for a fossil free Crete has four main components: energy efficiency, solar, wind and pump storage. Following Greenpeace pressure, the PPC's recent acceptance of a wind and energy efficiency deployment programme in Greece is an early indication of the ability to rapidly alter the status quo over renewables.
1. Energy efficiency
Efficient lighting Following a Greenpeace action on the Ministry of Development in April 1996, the PPC has announced a pilot programme to introduce 300,000 CFLs on Crete . Incentives were given to consumers to replace 1-4 light bulbs in their homes. The target was a modest 8MW saved. Although very badly designed, the first phase of the project has achieved the replacement of more than 45,000 light bulbs in the first five months. The PPC is now redesigning the project which will be continued. However, the project has a potential of replacing 1 million light bulbs in homes, thus saving 30 MW a year of peak power . Greenpeace has also started co-operation with the Hotel Association of Crete, and this could save 5-10MW in one year.
Demand side management. Greenpeace proposes a promotion of solar thermal applications for hot water. Greece already has Europe’s largest solar thermal industry. The proposal for DSM is now with the Ministry of Development from the Greek Association of Solar Industries (GASI). The idea is to give incentives to consumers to install 25,000 solar systems in the next two years, at a cost of US$26 million, of which consumers will pay 50 per cent. The rest is covered by the GASI and the PPC. If the plan goes ahead, the next step is to install 70,000 systems in total by the year 2000. This project could save 6MW per year of peak power in the next two years, and 20 MW a year in total by 2000.
2. Solar power
Solar PV power station. The energy company Amoco/Enron solar has proposed the construction of a 50MW photovoltaic power station in Crete. The total investment cost is $US120 million with support from the Greek Government and the EU, but aims to produce electricity at below 8.5cents per KWh the price paid to independent producers under the Renewables law.
PV for homes and buildings. Greenpeace is promoting solar PV to encourage hundreds of roof top systems for homes and buildings. There is strong interest from various consumers such as hotels, municipal buildings, telecommunications companies, schools and property developers. For commercial applications systems may be subsidised by 55 per cent of the installation cost by the Ministry of Development. Household applications are eligible for tax deductions of 30 per cent of the total cost, but no other direct subsidies are given so far.
Greenpeace has launched a "1,000 solar roofs" project with the aim of catalysing the rooftop market in Greece. Solar thermal power station. The German company Flagsol (a subsidiary of Pilkington) has prepared a feasibility study for a 52MW solar thermal power station in southern Crete. They have looked at different proposals ranging from a 100 per cent solar power plant with three hours storage, to a hybrid system of 55 per cent solar, 45 per cent oil. The second option would cost US$180 million, producing 202MWhe/year at a cost of 10.7 cents/KWh.
Greenpeace supports the proposal of a solar thermal power plant on the provision that it is 100 per cent solar. Assuming no storage, such a plant could produce 105MWhe/year at a cost of 17.4 cents/KWh. With three hours of storage the plant could produce 137MWhe/year at a cost of 16 cents/KWh. Flagsol has been given EU funds to finish the feasibility studies, and claims construction of a plant could begin in 1997 and finish in 2000.
3. Wind power
Following the introduction of the renewables law in 1994, 200MW of wind farms were proposed for Crete. In September 1996, contracts for 20MW of turbines on two Crete wind farms were signed and will be built this year. 50MW has recently been approved for installation in 1997. The costs of 50MW is $US81 million, of which 32.5 million is Greek Government grants.
If a storage system is introduced, then more than 400MW of wind could be installed on Crete, which has an excellent aeolian potential (mean wind speed 8.1m/s).
4. Pumped storage
This is effectively a form of hydro power where electricity is 'stored' during hours of low demand, via pumping water between reservoirs at differing altitudes. Operation of pumped storage systems during peak hours (where electricity costs can soar to 50GDR/kWh) can replace gas turbines that operate at efficiency lower than 22 per cent.
Two sites have already been identified by the PPC:-
Kournas(near Chania) - 125 MW capacity, cost 55 billion drachma (US$230 million.)
Almiros (near Heraklion) - 175 MW capacity, cost 60 billion drachma (US$250 million.)
A 125MW pump storage system could supply 225GWh/year, 15 per cent of energy demand. The use of pumped storage would eliminate the need for additional fossil fuel capacity.
The use of pumped storage is vital to Crete’s electrical system for several reasons. First the need for a minimum safety margin in the region of 20 per cent of net installed capacity capable of meeting future peak loads. Second, pumped storage transforms wind farm’s variable production into uniform production at pre-determined hours, and allows a 100 per cent switch to a range of renewable technologies.
Greenpeace fossil free option for Crete (1996-2002)
Energy efficiency and DSM 50+MW
Solar power 50-100MW
Wind 200+MW
Pump storage 125-175MW
There are other options as well, most notably biomass, but these options outlined above represent practical projects that are either underway in part, or proposed by specific investors and industrial parties.
The timeframe for introduction of a fossil free scenario is more or less exactly the same as for the proposed oil-fired power station which even if built would not be completed by the year 2000.
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